Twin Peaks Middle School

Happy Sunday Ram Families!

Welcome back to the 2026-2027 school year! I hope you all had a fun and relaxing summer and are ready to begin another amazing year of learning at Twin Peaks Middle School! It was so exciting to have students back on campus this week, as our 6th graders and new 7th and 8th graders attended WEB Orientation on Friday! A huge THANK YOU to all of our amazing parents, students and staff that made our Orientation event this past Friday a HUGE success! A special shoutout to our PTSA and Foundation parents for all of their help in recruiting volunteers and donors, our PE and band teachers for selling uniforms and handing out instruments, and to our WEB leaders for their time and enthusiasm leading our newest Rams around the campus.

Our main office will be open this week, but we have adjusted hours to support our staff professional learning days and PUSD kickoff event at Del Norte HS. Here are the TPMS main office hours this week:

• Monday, 8/10: 11am-3:30pm
• Tuesday, 8/11: 11am-3:30pm
• Wednesday, 8/12: 9-11:30am & 12:30-4pm
• Thursday, 8/13: 8am-3:30pm - First Day of School!
• Friday, 8/14: 8am-3:30pm

Most information you will need to answer your questions can be found HERE on our TPMS website.

All textbooks will be checked out to students through their classes after the first day of school. All students in grades 6-8 will be taking their yearbook/student ID photos during their PE class on Friday or Monday, August 14th or 17th; don't worry, students will not be dressing out and doing PE this week before taking their school photos. PE Uniforms can be purchased through your student's PE coach during the first week of school. If you are a new 6th grader or new to PUSD student and did not pick up your Chromebook during Oreintation, please stop by the library before school on the first day.

The first day of school is Thursday, August 13th - first period will start at 8:30am. School gates will open by 8am, and the optional breakfast is available for all students from 8-8:30am. Student schedules, with assigned class periods and teachers, should be available to students and parents through StudentVue and ParentVue starting on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 11th. Any schedule that you may see before 4pm on Tuesday, 8/11 may not be your final student schedule! Counselors are busy balancing student seats in classes and updating schedules as quickly as they can - thank you for your patience during this incredibly busy time.

Please see the section below if you need help logging in to view your schedule. Please make sure your student knows how to access their schedule on their Chromebook through My Plan/StudentVue or Canvas, or by downloading the StudentVue app on your smart phone. 6th grade students will receive a printed out schedule at our School Year's Eve event on August 12th at 5pm. No other grades will have their schedules printed.

Elective change request forms will be available at Mrs. Kirti's desk in the counseling office before school, during break or lunch, or after school starting on Tuesday, August 18th. The forms must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to Mrs. Kirti by Monday, August 24th at 3:30pm. No late forms will be accepted. We want students to have the opportunity to experience all of their classes before requesting an elective change.

PLEASE NOTE: All of our electives are severely impacted and there are limited options available for students requesting a different elective. Elective courses are for the entire school year, and students do not change electives at the trimester unless they are enrolled in a wheel where students take a different class each trimester.

If you have a concern or question about your student's schedule, please email your student's counselor using the link below. Our counselors are inundated with requests at the beginning of the school year, and it may take additional time for them to respond to your email. If you are requesting an elective change for your student, please have them turn in a completed elective change request form to Mrs. Kirti in the counseling office.

• Mrs. Melissa Baskin - students with last names that begin with A-G CLICK HERE for email.
• Mrs. Nicole Roman - students with last names that begin with H-O CLICK HERE for email.
• Mrs. Jami Jennings - students with last names that begin with P-Z CLICK HERE for email.

When dropping off or picking your students up from school, please DO NOT use the lane closest to the school - this lane is reserved for our buses both before and after school and pre-approved drop-offs only. We also ask that you not use the Tierra Bonita Elementary parking lot for parking or picking up and dropping off your student. Please reduce your speed and use caution during drop off and pick up times as we have many students who walk, ride bikes and skateboard to school and will be sharing the community roads and sidewalks with you.

If your student will have medications on campus, we have a new process where all parents must sign a form. Medication drop-offs will take place the first day of school between 8:00 - 9:00am in the front office. Parents will need to walk in to provide the correct paperwork and sign our district's documentation.

All students who bike, ebike, skateboard or scooter to school - please make sure you are RIDING SAFELY to and from school! Riders must wear a helmet, observe all traffic rules and regulations when riding on roads, be aware of pedestrians and their right to the sidewalk, and only ride as a single rider. Students are not allowed to ride their bikes on campus - this includes the school parking lot and the sidewalk in front of school - please walk your bikes once you reach the TPMS parking lot! Please review the bikes & ebikes section below as the rules and registration process has changed.

Students, I'm so looking forward to seeing you back on campus this Thursday for the first day of school - get ready for some fun with your Homerooms! And parents, I look forward to seeing all of you at Back to School Night on September 2nd starting at 5:30pm in the main quad.

With gratitude,

Steve Mills

Proud Principal

Twin Peaks Middle School

stmills@powayusd.com

1(858)748-5131 x2806

Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks

August 12th: School Years Eve (6th/New to TPMS only), 5-6pm

August 13th: First Day of School, 8:30am-3:05pm (Homeroom)

August 14 & 17th: School Pictures (will be taken during PE class)

August 18th: TPMS Foundation Meeting, 6:00pm (TPMS Library)

August 20th: PTSA Board Meeting, 6:15pm (TPMS Library)

September 2nd: Back to School Night, 5:30-7:30pm

September 3rd: 6th Grade Camp Presentation (6th Graders during lunches)

September 7th: Labor Day Holiday, No School

September 10th: 6th Grade Carnival, 3:30pm, TPMS Quad

September 17th: PTSA Meeting, 6:15pm (TPMS Library)

September 28th: Minimum Day, 12:35 pm release for students

September 29th: Minimum Day, 12:35 pm release for students

We are excited for our School Year’s Eve event on Wednesday, August 12th from 5-6PM. This is a great opportunity for all of our 6th graders and new to PUSD students and families to view their class schedule, tour the campus, and get acquainted with our school community before the first day of school. This is an outdoor only event - classrooms will not be accessible on this evening. We look forward to seeing all of our new RAMS!

For families new to PUSD, an informational letter with a new user account name and password was sent to all parents of secondary students (grades 6-12). If you did not receive this letter, have misplaced it, or if you are a parent of a new student enrolled after the start of school, please visit the password.powayusd.com website to retrieve their username or select a new password.

Attendance in school is vital for a successful education.

It is important that you notify the school if your student is absent or will be picked up early.

You may choose to call in your student’s absence (858-668-2730)

OR

Digitally excuse your student’s absence though ParentVUE

Below is the video link for details on how to access it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=720SAxzNzyY

For more information on attendance and absences. Please see our website for additional details!

https://twinpeaks.powayusd.com/apps/pages/attendance

Please Note: No walk-in pickups will be allowed after 2:45 p.m., unless a one hour prior notice has been received.

As the new school year begins, many students will be riding bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, and scooters to school. To give everyone time to transition, all students may park on campus without a permit through August 31st. Beginning Tuesday, September 1st, a valid permit will be mandatory.

Safety, Walk Zones & Parking

• State Helmet Law (CA VC 21212): All riders under 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet at all times when riding any vehicle.
• Mandatory Walk Zones: Safety protocols begin at the intersection of Twin Peaks Rd. and Tierra Bonita. Students must walk or carry their vehicles in all areas in front of Twin Peaks Middle School, Tierra Bonita Elementary, in our parking lot, and anywhere on campus. Riding on walkways or in parking lots is strictly prohibited.
• Designated Bike Parking: All vehicles must be parked in the designated bike area, located through the gate to the far right of campus as you face the school.
• Securing Vehicles & Lock Advice: TPMS is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen property. We strongly encourage students to use heavy-duty U-locks—especially for e-bikes—as cable locks are easily cut.

Vehicle Restrictions & Prohibited Vehicles

• Prohibited Vehicles: E-scooters and motorized scooters are strictly prohibited for middle schoolers under Poway law and CA Vehicle Code (which require a valid driver’s license to operate).
• Allowed E-Bikes: Only Class 1 (pedal-assist) and Class 2 (throttle-assisted) e-bikes capped at a maximum motorized speed of 20 mph are allowed on campus.
• Banned E-Bikes: Class 3 e-bikes (speeds up to 28 mph) are illegal for anyone under 16 and are strictly banned. Modified "e-motos" or dirt bikes are also banned. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (Poway Station) will conduct random sweeps throughout the year; unpermitted or illegal bikes are subject to impound.

How to Obtain a Permit

• Bicycles, Skateboards & Push Scooters: Register for a standard TPMS permit via the "Parent" section of the school website.
• E-Bike Permits (Separate Steps): Go to the "Parent" section on the TPMS website to complete the following:
1. Watch the mandatory PUSD safety video with your student.
2. Submit the official PUSD Request Form to the Assistant Principal’s office.
3. Permanently affix the approved permit sticker to the e-bike frame.

This year, we're excited to launch our Give a Book, Grow a Reader! campaign to help build an even stronger school library for our middle school students.

We invite each family to donate one new book to our library. Every book added to our shelves opens the door to new adventures, fresh perspectives, and lifelong learning.

A vibrant library does more than provide books—it creates opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop empathy, strengthen literacy skills, and experience the joy of reading for pleasure. Together, we can foster a school culture where reading is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and every student can find a book that speaks to them.

Thank you for helping us grow our library, inspire our readers, and make a lasting difference—one book at a time!

Send a book directly to TPMS Library!

This is a friendly reminder that TPMS is a phone free school between the hours of 8:30am - 3:05pm. Students must keep their devices in their backpacks during school hours to support our learning centered classrooms.

Phones and electronic devices can be confiscated by school staff for repeated violations of our electronic devices policy. Please review page 14 in the student planner (LINKED HERE) for more information on our school's electronic devices policy. Parents - please review the appropriate use of cell phones and our school's policy with your student to avoid having to come in and pick up their phone after school.

This is a friendly reminder for all Band & Orchestra students that instruments are not needed the first week of school. If you have any additional questions please email Mr. Moreau at amoreau@powayusd.com. Thanks so much!

All children in PUSD are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch meals regardless of income for the 2025-2026 school year. Please see the PUSD Food and Nutrition Website for more information. Breakfast is served 30 minutes before school starts daily, if your student can not make it before school, they can receive a free breakfast at morning break! Click here to view the school menus.

Parents/Guardians are still encouraged to complete a meal application online to receive other benefits such free or reduced-price after-school care, discounts on SAT and AP testing fees, reduced internet and utility bills, and food-buying assistance during summer breaks. Meal applications also help ensure that our school receives its fair share of state funding. The website to apply is www.myschoolapps.com. Paper meal applications (for parents that can’t complete one online) are available in the TPMS front office.

*PUSD Food and Nutrition Department is cashless. Parents/Guardians can add money to their students account at MySchoolBucks.com or bring a check to any window to enter in their account for any a la carte items their students would like to purchase.

Help us get the year off to a great start by donating to the Twin Peaks Foundation Back to School Campaign!

We will use the money within the next year or two so your student benefits! We support all kinds of programs and projects on campus, from mental health programs to school beautification. We appreciate any amount you are able to contribute but any donations over $150 will receive a special edition Twin Peaks fleece blanket.

Donate today! Back to School Campaign 2026 - 2027 - Cheddar Up

Twin Peaks Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing educational excellence for ALL students at Twin Peaks Middle School. Their purpose is to bridge the widening gap between the amount of money actually provided by the State of California and the Poway Unified School District and the amount necessary to fund technology upgrades, educational programs and resources necessary to support the school.

The Foundation typically meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6pm in the TPMS Library. Here are their monthly meetings dates for the 2026-27 school year:

Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 6:00pm

Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6:00pm

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 6:00pm

Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 6:00pm

Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 6:00pm

Tuesday, January 12, 2027, 6:00pm

Tuesday, February 9, 2027, 6:00pm

Tuesday, March 16, 2027, 6:00pm

Tuesday, April 20, 2027, 6:00pm

Tuesday, May 11, 2027, 6:00pm

Please visit the TPMS Foundation Web Page by CLICKING HERE!

The Twin Peaks Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is a membership-based 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to making each school year a rewarding and enriching experience for every student. TPMS PTSA brings you the 6th Grade Olympics, 8th Grade Promotion, Academic Awards, Book Fairs, Choir, the Giving Tree program, the Reflections art program, the Spelling Bee, Staff/Teacher Hospitality, Student Character Recognition Awards, and lots more!

Whether you join as a member, donate directly to our programs, or give your time and talents (or all of the above!), we are very grateful for your contribution to TPMS. All donations are tax deductible. If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities or other ways to get involved, email Steph Cole at ptsaprestpms@gmail.com We will also be available to chat and answer questions at Back to School Night on 9/2. Come find our table!

** To join PTSA and/or donate via TOTEM, click here

** To join PTSA and/or donate via Cheddar Up, click here

PTSA Meetings 2026-2027

As a member of PTSA, you are invited and encouraged to attend our three Association Meetings, held in September, February, and April. Mark your calendars now! This is where you can learn about what's happening at the school and hear directly from Principal Mills, student leadership, staff, and the PTSA Board. Members will receive meeting packets to the email addresses used to register. Our first Association meeting is coming up on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 6:15pm in the TPMS Library. Hope to see you there!

August 20, Board Meeting

September 17, Association Meeting at 6:15pm, Board Meeting to follow

October 22, Board Meeting

November 5, Board Meeting

December 3, Board Meeting

January 14, Board Meeting

February 11, Association Meeting at 6:15pm, Board Meeting to follow

March 18, Board Meeting

April 22, Association Meeting at 6:15pm, Board Meeting to follow

May 13, Board Meeting & Awards Night

June TBD

Our 2026-2027 Executive Board:

President - Steph Cole

Executive VP - Misa Rudge

1st VP of Fundraising - Shelly Mead

2nd VP of Membership - Beckie Barber

3rd VP of Volunteers - Shannon Lilly

Secretary - Cassie Stroben

Treasurer - Kate Dokmo

Historian - Brenda Wiese

Financial Reviewer - Chrissy Rhew

Parliamentarian - Alicia Gormican

Nondiscrimination Philosophy and Policy Statement

The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is an equal opportunity employer/program and is committed to an active Nondiscrimination Program. PUSD prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For more information, please contact: Title IX/Equity Compliance Officer, Melissa Griffith, Associate Superintendent of Personnel support Services, Poway Unified School District, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128, 1-858-521-2800, extension 2121, mgriffith@powayusd.com. For students, you may contact Title IX Coordinator/504 Coordinator Jessica Pineda, Director of Attendance and Discipline, Poway Unified School District, 1-858-521-2843, jpineda@powayusd.com.

Website: https://twinpeaks.powayusd.com/l
Phone: 858.748.5131
Twitter: @TwinPeaksRams